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Tag: Mary Odili

  • Mary Odili to chair NEAPS 2025 Advisory Committee

    Mary Odili to chair NEAPS 2025 Advisory Committee

    The organisers of the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) yesterday announced Justice Mary Ukaego Odili, retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and a renowned figure in Nigeria’s judicial history, as Chair of its Advisory Committee for the 2025 edition of the awards.

     The statement by the Founder of NEAPS, Ms Mariam Mohammed, also announced Mr. Ako Abbah, an Assistant Director in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), as Secretary of the NEAPS 2025 Advisory Committee.

    Other members of the NEAPS 2025 Advisory Committee are Yemi Candide-Johnson (SAN) Senior Partner, Strachan Partners; Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, The Presidency; Shaka Momodu, Editor, THISDAY Newspaper; Stella Din Jacob, Director of News, TVC News; Musikilu Mojeed, Editor-in-Chief, Premium Times; and Yemi Adebowale, Journalist/Columnist and Chairman/CEO Storkgate and Associates.

    Ms Mohammed in her press statement said: “The NEAPS 2025 Advisory Committee, comprising prominent leaders from various sectors, was assembled to ensure that the awards continue to reflect the highest standards of transparency, merit, inclusiveness and national relevance. Its role is instrumental in maintaining the prestige and credibility of the awards.”

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     The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), continues to collaborate with The Best Strategic PR (TBS) for the annual NEAPS awards.

    Now in its third year, NEAPS provides a national recognition platform that celebrates individuals and institutions demonstrating exceptional performance, integrity, and innovation in public service.

     It also promotes a culture of accountability, inspires ethical leadership, and highlights efforts that significantly contribute to national development and the common good.

    Through these awards, NEAPS encourages best practices in governance and public administration and fosters public trust by honoring those who have shown measurable impact in service to the nation.

    The maiden edition of the NEAPs Awards held in October 2022, at the State House Conference Center, Abuja, honoured 44 Nigerians, with the then President Muhammadu Buhari presenting the awards.

    The second edition in 2024, also held at the State House Conference Center, Abuja, honoured 49 Nigerians. At the award, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said he was truly delighted to witness the second edition of NEAPS, and thanked TBS led by Ms. Mariam Mohammed, “for this initiative and for deploying one of the best indices to determine the level of performance of Public Officers.”

  • CJN, Fubara, others eulogise Mary Odili, describe her as epitome of excellence

    CJN, Fubara, others eulogise Mary Odili, describe her as epitome of excellence

    Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon Justice Olukayode Oriwoola has congratulated the outgoing Chairman of Body of Benchers, Hon Justice Mary Odili, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court whose one year tenure as Chairman, Body of Benchers has come to an end. He described her as a lady of great integrity whose intellectual credentials stand out in the discharge of her duties.

     The CJN said this last night while delivering a speech at the send forth party in honour of Hon Justice Mary Odili as the outgoing Chairman, Body of Benchers at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja.

    While  commending her dedication to duty and untiring efforts to raise the integrity bar of the  legal profession, the CJN said that Justice Mary Odili was effective and made sterling contributions during her tenure as the Chairman, Body of Benchers. 

    According to the CJN, “Your tenure as the Chairman of this august Body witnessed many remarkable achievements geared towards the development of the legal profession. Your passion and service to the Body of Benchers cannot be overemphasized nor downplayed as you have boldly written your name in gold in the annals of this August Body.”

     Also speaking at the event, Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, described Hon Justice Mary Odili as a seasoned Jurist whose outstanding career in the bench reflected the discipline and intellectual hard work that she brought to bear while serving in the bench. 

    The governor said:”Hon Justice Mary Odili rose from the ranks up to the High Court and from there she was promoted to the Court of Appeal and finally to the Supreme Court. Those are lines of diligent work and commitment to duty. You also saw the documentary that was shown. So when it comes to her life as a judicial officer, the records are there and it is only a good product that can beget a good product, noting that this is the reason why she is excellent in what she is giving out”

    Delivering his goodwill message at the event, Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma who was represented by Amb. Humphrey Orjiakor congratulated Justice Mary Odili for a successful tenure in office and described her as a round peg in a round hole. He noted that she was a great woman whose contributions to the growth and development of the Bench and the Bar as well as her commitment to truth, patriotism and rule of law remained unquestionable.

     Also speaking at the occasion, the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem said Justice Mary Odili left no one in doubt that she had set out to make a difference in the Body of Benchers by constantly discharging her responsibilities with ease. 

    According to her, Justice Odili’s one year tenure as Chairman, Body of Benchers was not only remarkable but a millennium of good working relationship with the Bench and the Bar. 

    Aside  describing her as industrious, she noted that “Justice Odili championed the cause of improving the welfare of judicial officers and pursued the amendment of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee Rules to enthrone a more disciplined legal profession”  

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    The incoming Chairman of Body of Benchers, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN in his address said Justice Odili left big shoes for him as her successor and extolled her sterling qualities and creativity in managing the affairs of the Body. While congratulating her for a successful tenure in office, he pledged to continue to pray to be able to maintain the standard of leadership that Justice Mary Odili had set in the Body of Benchers. 

    Speaking in the same vein and on behalf  of Chairmen of Committees of the Body of Benchers, Rafiu Lawal-Rabana SAN, noted that the one year tenure of Justice Mary Odili, even though short, was eventful and remarkable for initiating some positive changes. One of such was the innovations in the running of the Body by setting up a management committee comprising  Chairmen of Committees of the Body.  This gave everyone a sense of belonging and responsibility in making input on burning issues affecting the larger profession.

    According to him, Justice Odili’s candour, humility and diplomacy in approaching issues earned her the respect of everyone in the Body of Benchers, noting that “… history will judge her as contributing positively to the growth of the Legal Profession and working towards enhancing the welfare  and work environment for the judiciary”

    From the Odili family, Dr Adaeze Oreh, Hon Commissioner for Health, Rivers State and first daughter of Justice Mary Odili described her mother as  calm, intelligent, humble and caring. “She paid attention to everyone in the house and walked them through the various paths they needed to succeed and even in marriage, she remained a support pillar for all of them in the house. She congratulated her and thanked everyone who turned out to honour her.